Re: Woodford Master's Collection Rye

I like the Master's Collection. I think it's exactly the kind of experimental program a major company/major brand should do. That's not to say other companies do it wrong, I just like the way Woodford does it very much.

But MC haters may not like this. I'm not saying it's a departure from the Master's Collection series. I'm saying the Straight Rye Whiskey version is unlike any rye you've tasted, and very good, and the Rye Mash (used cooperage whiskey) is unique.

Woodford broke one of its own MC rules, in that it changed more than one variable. In addition to being aged in new barrels, the straight rye was barrel entered at 100 proof while the rye mash whiskey was barrel entered at 86 proof.

Think of it as low barrel entry and extremely low barrel entry.

We've had 95% rye but not 100% (rye malt was used) and although they're not telling the age it's in the 7-8 year range, maybe more. It's 100% pot distilled, of course, and there are some other differences in the way it was made. The result is two very different takes on rye. Just when you think you know what rye tastes like, this comes along.

I can't predict whether or not you will like it, but I can assure you that you will learn something from it.

This is the first step in the direction of Woodford being a whiskey distillery that makes more than bourbon. Like all MC releases, it is 100% pot still.

The Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively made Rittenhouse Rye for Heaven Hill for about ten years, but this is completely different.

Re: Woodford Master's Collection Rye

Sounds interesting for sure. I'm anxious to taste both of them.
What percentage Rye was/is Old Portrero? I thought it was 100% Rye but my memory sucks. One was used cooperage (18th cent.) and one was/is new barrels(19th) if I recall.

Re: Woodford Master's Collection Rye

Originally Posted by sailor22

Sounds interesting for sure. I'm anxious to taste both of them.
What percentage Rye was/is Old Portrero? I thought it was 100% Rye but my memory sucks. One was used cooperage (18th cent.) and one was/is new barrels(19th) if I recall.

Potrero is always 100% Rye Malt, with the 18th Century going into new, toasted barrels, while the 19th Century is in new, charred oak. Both are also out of a Pot Still. So yes, we've seen it before.